This is the story of a Phoenix
rising out of the ashes – or in this case a brand-new layout appearing out of
the old Zaanhoven/Trammelant set-up.

Being unhappy with the idea of 2 modules of 6 foot by 4 foot (or 2400mm
x 1200mm in metric) and not really being able to finish them, Melba and I
discussed the idea of building a totally new layout along 2 walls of one of the
rooms in our house.

We decided that the new layout should be no wider then 2 foot (or 600mm)
so that everything could be easily reached by both of us (she is 1.55m and I am
1.91m) rather then maintain the 4 foot width.

Due to having moved house twice in the last 6 months we also decided
that the modules should be easily transportable and therefore no longer then 4
foot. This meant 4 modules of 1200 x 600mm, one of 1300 x 600mm and one corner
unit of a later to be determined size.

Jack Waller, 80+ year old resident carpenter/handyman/jack-of-all-trades
of our church was commissioned on 15 February 2009 to build the modules out of
30x30mm dressed pine and modules 1, 2, 5 & 6 were delivered early Saturday
morning February 21.

The old groundplate of ZaanCS (2400 x 1200) was chopped into 3
groundplates for modules 1, 2 & 6 later that morning.

During that weekend various ideas were tried by laying some rails,
points, roads and placing both the stations to give us a more concrete idea of
our planned lay-out.

On Sunday 22, our 11 months wedding anniversary, Jack was given the
measurements of module 3 & 4 – the corner unit – and we took delivery of
those on March 5.

Over the next few weeks many changes happened, including turning both
stations 180 degrees, a tram-line from Zaanhoven to the future TrammelanT
Funpark/Museum, a mono-rails from ZaanCS to Trammelant, the addition of many
tracks to ZaanCS and the shaping of the industrial where a large (Kibri)
brewery will be build.

During the Easter 2009 school holiday we painted the walls of our house,
after which the modules were bolted together, the rails glued permanently,
several buildings also glued down and in the near future we will start the rest
of the scenery and the landscaping. Look at movie 6 to see the difference the
much lighter colour of the walls make and also for a look at the new
acquisitions on the Graham Lees Wall.

The name change is now official as you can see from the title of the
page.

During the September/October school holidays we moved to a new house and
the lay-out’s transportability was well and truly tested. Despite some minor
problems it worked well and on Thursday October 8, 2009 it was put back
together again in the lounge of the new premises.

One major problem faces Zaanland – the room measures 3.5m x 3.5m while
Zaanland measures 3.5m x 3.75m. Two solutions to this problem;

An extra addition to the lay-out was purchased on August 28 – a long
desired European icon, the TEE from Trix.

Bought from the Dutch site Marktplaats via Geert Cuperus it arrived on
September 9 and will be a fantastic addition to Zaanland. This icon of 80’s
luxury in Europe maintained the connection between Holland
and Switzerland
and provided the most comfortable train ride of its time.

In January 2010 the new corner units arrived and the ground-plates were
installed. This meant that a space came free for displaying some of the many
goods wagons and some additional engines in a shunting yard. Zaanhoven also
changed shape with the church in a different location, the VW dealership moved
across the road and the 2 smaller houses closer to the station. The farm is now
located closer to town, which leaves space for the new power station and the
brewery between the farm and the shunting yard (click on http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=hondekop3#p/u/0/-oZZDRDdd9I
for the video)

During the rest of January and most of February work on Zaanland
steadily increased. Platforms were erected at both stations, much more
landscaping was done, the shunting yard was made bigger and even street lights
are currently being erected next to the main road from ZaanCS to Zaanhoven.
Here are some more photos;

The landscaping progressed steadily throughout February and March
2010 and the following were added; the brewery (finally
finished), another big villa, parking areas near Zaanhoven, ZaanCS and in the
village, landscaping around the brewery and laying the asphalt in most of the
Museum/Funpark. Many people have come out now since the bad winter of 2009/2010
has ended and spring finally brings some great weather;

Now, over 1 year later, there are a number of additions to the lay-out.
Practically finished on January 20, 2011 here is a short list of some of the
major additions;

1.During the rest of March a field of 120 tulips between the church and
the older villa and a field of roses between the new villa and the brewery were
added.

2.In May a start was made with a market square between Zaanhoven and the
church.

3.During July, aside from the ever continuing task of landscaping the long
ago ordered DE1 (Rode Duivel = Red Devil), a 2 storey house under construction and
a helicopter and tractor were purchased.

4.During August a Karlsruhe tram and an NS steam engine were purchased.
The little steam engine can now be found in the additional space of the
museum/funpark.

5.During October 2 lakes were formed, using some special wave paper and
the landscaping around them added.

6.During November a cemetery was added near the church with tombstones,
hedges, paths and grass.

7.During December fishermen, ducks and swans were added to the 2 lakes,
although fisherman only fish the bigger lake near Zaan CS. The other lake near
the Volkswagen dealer is just too small for fishing.

8.In January, all the landscaping was finished and a jewel in the crown of
the museum was added – a blue version of the NS 1000.

·On May 22 we
purchased a green Hornby R156 diesel shunter that will be changed to NS 500-600
with some paint and some transfers (although NS transfers are hard to find even
on Marktplaats.nl). In it’s original state and livery in already has a place in
the museum/funpark.

·A Wiking Doubledecker
longnose Buessing D38 was bought on October 30 as another curious object for
the museum. It has no markings nor transfer but represents those double-deckers
as were in service mid-50's in Germany.

·One day later a wish
came true – a brown 2400. This one was advertised on eBay from Korea at a very
good price and now finds pride of place in the museum.

So, what’s the future for Zaanland? Well here’s the wishlist;

1.One more Dutch background behind the brewery

2.More NS museum engines

3.Connect the street lights to the power

4.Automate the 2 mainlines so that the trains stop for 20 seconds at one
station before the power is reversed and they leave for the other station (etc.
etc.).

Thus, keep an eye on any updates, we’ll try and update more
regular………………………….